For American citizens who have an alien fiancee, the K-1 visa is a commonly utilized travel document for bringing the foreign loved one to the united states. In a way, the K-1 visa is simply an entry document as the K-1 visa holder is required to marry the K-1 visa petitioner within 90 days of arrival and file for adjustment of status. Adjustment of status can be costly in terms of both time and resources. Therefore, having an understanding of the K visa services-1 visa process as well as immigrant spouse visas can provide a solid platform from which to make an informed decision regarding all of ones American Immigration options.
When discussing the K-1 fiance visa and the adjustment of status process it is prudent if prospective American petitioners understand the travel documents commonly referred to as Immigrant spouse visas. The officially designated categories of immigrant spouse visas for spouses of American citizens are the CR-1 visa and the IR-1 visa. These are officially referred to as immediate relative visas and those entering the united states for the first time on either a CR-1 visa or an IR-1 visa are accorded lawful permanent residence upon lawful admission to the USA. Those thinking about bringing their loved one to the USA should take note of this fact as the K-1 visa does not permit the K-1 visa holder to enter the united states in lawful permanent resident status. In a sense, the Immigrant visas are a less costly option in terms of resources as the foreign spouse entering the usa with lawful permanent residence is not required to adjust status. Currently, the official fee which must be paid in order to apply for adjustment of status is over one thousand (1, 000) United states dollars. Again, those individuals entering the U. S. in IR-1 or CR-1 visa status are not obligated to apply for adjustment of status and therefore would not need to pay the I-485 filing fee. CR-1 visa holders will enter the usa in Conditional Lawful Permanent Resident status if they have been married less than 2 years to their American spouse at the time of admission to the USA. Those with Conditional Lawful Permanent Residence must eventually apply to have the conditionality of their residence lifted.
Regardless of the fact that immigrant travel documents may prove to be a less costly visa option, it ought to be pointed out that it presently takes more time to actually obtain an immigrant visa as opposed to a K-1 visa. It is generally believed that at the time of this writing it takes approximately 11 months to process an Immigrant visa while it takes about 6-7 months to process a US fiance visa. Thus, when forming a strategy with regard to immigration bi-national couples ought to take these timing estimates into account especially if a couple has not yet legally gotten married. The immigration departments of most companies around the world today require that foreign visitors apply for a visa in order to enter the country. Of course, there are exceptions: many countries have special arrangements with certain other countries which allow their citizens to travel domestically without a visa. However, usually such arrangements are valid for short stays only: longer visits require visas. Japan is no exception.
If you are looking for a Japan travel visa, you should educate yourself about the 6 types of Japanese visas. Depending upon the reason for your trip to Japan, you will need one of these types of visas in order to enter, visit/stay, and carry out certain activities legally while in the country.
The first type is the visa-free stay. This is technically called a temporary visitor’s visa as the name implies. However, do not let the name fool you: the visa-free stay has a number of restrictions associated with it. In order to qualify for a visa-free stay in Japan, you need to be prepared to leave the country within 90 days after entering. Also, upon entry you must be carrying a passport that will be valid throughout your entire stay, and you must have in your possession a ticket back out of the country. This visa is valid for 90, 30 or 15 days.
If you plan to work while in Japan – which means earning money in any manner while you are there – you will need to apply for a working visa before you enter the country. According to the Immigration Bureau of Japan, the working visa is good for either 1 or 3 years. You must apply for your Japanese working visa before you enter Japan. This means that you cannot enter Japan on a visa-free stay and then convert to a working visa without leaving the country first.
Official categories for the working visa for Japan include: professor, artist, religious activities, journalist, investor/business manager, legal/accounting services, medical services, researcher, instructor, engineer, specialist in humanities, intracompany transferee, entertainer, and skilled labor.
It may be that your trip to Japan will have you staying there longer than 90 days but you do not plan to be earning money while you are there. Instead, maybe you plan to study or become involved in certain cultural activities while in Japan. Or, maybe you will be staying with friends, family members, or in a home-stay situation for longer than 90 days. If this describes your situation, you will need to apply for a general visa for your visit to Japan. This is good for either 1 year or 6 months (cultural activities), 2 years or 1 year (college student), 1 year or 6 months (precollege student), 1 year or 6 months (trainee), or 3/2/1 years or 6/3 months (dependent).